Mom's Story, A Child Learns About MS

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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Study finds greater role for environment in MS

Environmental factors may be
playing a much greater role in the onset of multiple sclerosis than previously
realized, according to early research led by Queen Mary University of London
and Barts Health NHS Trust. The theory is based on new findings showing that
Black people and South Asians in east London have a higher prevalence of MS
compared to those groups in their ancestral countries, indicating a strong
environmental influence on the disease that could be driving higher MS rates in
London.

The researchers, led by Dr.
Klaus Schmierer, used electronic records from general practices in four east
London boroughs (Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and City of London) which were
reviewed for the number of MS-diagnosed patients, grouped by ethnicity. What
they found was that MS appeared to be several times more prevalent among African
people and South Asians living in London compared to those groups living in
their ancestral territory. While prevalence differences could be explained by
fewer MS diagnoses occurring in less resourced countries, the authors said it
is unlikely to explain the gulf in prevalence between these territories. They
said that an alternative, or additional, explanation would be increased
exposure in the UK to environmental agents or behaviors that facilitate the
development of MS.

Lead author Schmierer said,
"MS is a disease where genetic ancestry and environmental factors play a
role, however to what degree these two aspects are driving the risk of
developing MS remains unknown. We found that people of Asian and African
extraction in London are far more likely to have MS than people of the same
ethnicity living in their ancestral countries. Our early results suggest that
environmental factors play a pivotal role in the risk of developing MS, whilst
the individual genetic backdrop may be of lesser importance."

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About Me

Mary J. Nickum is a retired librarian, who is now an editor and freelance writer of fish culture related articles. Her primary focus is on science for the public. She has chosen to extend her science for the public outreach to children.